CLASS Project

Impact Survey

CLASS Project

Connecting Libraries and Schools for Success!

When libraries and schools work together, everyone wins.

In 2016 New Hanover County Schools and the New Hanover County Public Library began plans for a project to enhance students’ access to information and educational resources by authorizing the use of NHCS student ID numbers to connect with NHCPL materials. These efforts are part of an ongoing commitment by New Hanover County Government and New Hanover County Schools to benefit the community by increasing literacy and educational success.

Right now, the information below pertains to students and staff of NHCS, but the library is open to a similar partnership with any charter, or private school in New Hanover County.

CLASS Project, or “Connecting Libraries and Schools for Success,” uses students' school identification numbers instead of separate library cards. With their CLASS Project account, students can:

Access NHCPL research databases

Borrow digital materials such as e-books, e-audiobooks, and e-magazines

Borrow up to 2 print books, or audiobooks, or magazines at a time (no DVDs or music CDs)

NHCS students are automatically enrolled in this program. Your child’s NHCS student ID number is now a “virtual library card number” which can be used to access public library materials and services. Just type in the student ID number any time you’re asked for a library card number. A few NHCPL services require a PIN in addition to a card number; the default PIN is the last 4 digits of the student ID number.

If you do not want your child to have access to public library resources, you may opt out. Click the link below for an opt-out form, which you can print out, sign, and return to any library branch. Be aware that students who opt out of CLASS Project will not be able to participate in classroom use of library resources unless they have a New Hanover County Public Library card and know the full card number and PIN.

New Hanover County Public Library is open to a similar partnership with any charter, private, or parochial school in New Hanover County. A request for this type of partnership would need to come from school leadership since it will involve the adoption of a Memo of Understanding between the two organizations that spells out the responsibilities of each partner organization. The MOU must include specific language about data and resource sharing, privacy, and other considerations.

If you are a school principal or superintendent and would like to offer your students the benefits that come with a CLASS Project partnership with New Hanover County Public Library, please contact us.

Pew Research Center found that 85% of Americans want their libraries to work more closely with local schools to provide resources.

About half of low-income children have few, if any, books in their homes. Via CLASS Project, students gain the ability to check out books to take home for school work and to read for pleasure.

Similar projects such as ONE Access™ in Charlotte, NC, and Limitless Libraries in Nashville, TN, have demonstrated the potential for this type of partnership.